| For test centre (TAS) | DEUTSCH / ENGLISH |
General
Preparation
Scheduling
Administration
Scoring and Certification
General
What does onDaF measure?
onDaF measures general language proficiency in German as a foreign language. This proficiency is understood as an underlying ability, which is composed of both knowledge and skills and is expressed in many different forms of language use.
What is onDaF used for?
onDaF is used as an objective, rapid and reliable test of the language level of learners of German. By means of the onDaF rating, candidates can be placed in homogeneous learning groups. onDaF results may also be used to provide candidates with a feedback on their language level in view of the TestDaF examination. Other areas of application are the evaluation of German language proficiency prior to more complex test procedures (e.g. tests of study capability) as well as measuring the language level within the framework of the granting of DAAD scholarships to foreign prospective students.
Which competence levels does onDaF measure?
onDaF enables a placement by analogy with the levels A2, B1, B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those below A2 and above C1 are not distinguished.
Does onDaF give information about separate language skills?
No. onDaF does not enable distinguished information about language knowledge in the areas reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, or speaking. Yet, there are close, empirically proven relations to all four language skills.
Which test rationale is the basis for onDaF?
onDaF is based on the C-test principle. The single tasks in the onDaF test are gap-filling texts, which are created according to the rules for C-test construction. This means that the redundancy characteristic of natural languages is systematically reduced. The performance of the test candidates under such conditions enables the provision of information on their general language proficiency.
How can I obtain a licence as an onDaF test centre (TAS)?
In order to obtain a licence as an onDaF test centre, you must fill out an online application form. You will find this form at http://lizenz.ondaf.de. If your application is accepted, we will send you an onDaF licensing agreement (in duplicate). You must then sign one copy and return it to us. Once we have received the agreement, you will receive the login details for the test centre portal (username, password) and five free TANs to help you become acquainted with onDaF.
Which institutions can obtain an onDaF licence?
Fundamentally, all institutions already bearing a licence as a TestDaF test centre can obtain an onDaF licence. All DAAD lectorates that offer onDaF as a language test for scholarship applicants can also obtain an onDaF licence. All other institutions can obtain a licence, as long as it is proven that they can offer a competent and technically efficient administration of the onDaF.
How much does it cost to become a licensed onDaF test centre?
The issue of an onDaF licence is free of charge for applicants. No licence fees are thereby incurred.
Which technical equipment is necessary for the administration of the onDaF?
In order to run the onDaF you need a computer room with a network of at least two computers, which have Internet access and are equipped with the latest internet browser. Each candidate requires a computer for the test. Additionally, the test process must be controlled by the examiner via another computer.
How can I contact the TestDaF Institute in the case of further questions?
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the onDaF, simply write to us by clicking on the link for the online contact form.
Preparation
What are TANs for?
TANs are transaction numbers, which are needed by the onDaF candidates in order to book an onDaF test (menu option "book a test"; "Prüfung buchen") in the portal for candidates (standard version). Test centres can buy the TANs from the TestDaF Institute (exception: lectors of the DAAD - the German Academic Exchange Service; in these cases the fees are settled directly between the TestDaF Institute and the DAAD). Candidates can then obtain the TANs from the test centres.
How much does a TAN cost?
The single price (gross price) for the onDaF standard version depends on the amount of TANs bought, but is between 4 and 9 Euros. Upon the purchase of 50 TANs, they are available in cheaper packets. In the largest packet of 500 TANs, each one costs only 4 Euros.
Are we bound to the prices of the TestDaF Institute for the sale of TANs to potential onDaF candidates?
No. You may determine the TAN prices according to what you consider to be appropriate and customer-orientated, or market-orientated.
How are TANs to be ordered?
TANs are to be ordered online in the portal for test centres. Under the menu option "manage TANs" ("TANs verwalten"), you will find the option "order TANs" ("TANs bestellen"). Select this option and enter the amount of TANs required. The price for each TAN and the price for the whole TAN packet will be displayed. An invoice for the order is automatically generated and will be sent to you by e-mail. Upon receipt of the invoice sum, you will be informed by e-mail that you can access the ordered TAN packet in the test centre portal. Select "view TANs" ("TANs anzeigen") under the menu option "manage TANs" ("TANs verwalten").
There is a special rule for DAAD lectorates. The ordering of TANs is settled centrally via the DAAD. No invoice will be generated and the requested TANs can be accessed in the portal shortly afterwards. To access the TANs, select the option "view TANs" ("TANs anzeigen").
How are the TANs to be distributed to the candidates?
You can distribute the TANs to the candidates in many ways: personally in your test centre, by post, by e-mail, by fax, etc. It is, however, important to make sure that the candidate concerned receives the TAN early enough to be ably to effectively book a test.
How long are TANs valid for?
The validity of unused TANs which you have obtained from the TestDaF Institute is unlimited. Even if you have ordered a new TAN list, the unused TANs on the old list are valid until they are used. Please ensure that new TAN lists are ordered in sufficient time.
Which settings are to be undertaken on the candidates' computers?
The candidates' computers must be set up so that no login details can be saved. Necessary settings in the Internet browser (allowance of pop-up windows, cookies and Javascript) can be tested before the test procedure using a browser test. The browser test is available as a menu option in the test centre portal, or can be run directly on the candidates' computers at http://www.ondaf.de/browser.
Scheduling
Can test dates be setup and tests be administered at any time?
Yes. There are no restrictions on the scheduling and administration of the onDaF tests with regard to dates. The test is accessible online at all times. Please ensure that the correct time zone settings for your test centre are saved (menu option "change data" in the test centre portal; "Daten ändern").
What is the "handling time" ("Vorlaufzeit") and what does it mean with regard to the administration of the onDaF?
The handling time is the time (in days) between the last day on which it is possible to book a test and the day of the test. The standard handling time displayed is 14 days. You may change this amount at any time in the date management section.
Can test dates be cancelled if they have already been booked?
It is only possible to cancel a test date if it has not been booked by any candidate. If tests have already been booked on a certain date, the only possibility is to contact the candidates concerned and ask them to book another date.
What is to be done if a candidate turns up to the test late and arrives after the test has begun?
Usually, a candidate only has the right to take the test on the date booked (date and time). You may, however, offer the candidate the opportunity to take the test on the same day. This is only possible after the completion of the running test process. Re-scheduling on your part or re-booking on the part of the candidate is not necessary. However, the alteration is limited to the same day for which the original test was booked. If the test is to take place on a different date, it is necessary to book a new test (with a new TAN).
Can external, unknown candidates also take the onDaF test, or are people who are interested in our test centre, who are known by our test centre (e.g. course participants) only allowed to take the onDaF?
The onDaF test is basically available to all who wish to measure their general German language knowledge. Before the test, however, it is necessary to check the identity of each candidate, in order to ensure that the person taking the test is also the person who booked it.
Can certain test dates be made available to only a limited group of candidates (e.g. course participants)?
Yes. To do this, you must determine a password under "change data" ("Daten ändern"). This password is then to be given only to the people concerned so that they may book the special test date.
How many candidates can take part on each test date?
The number of candidates able to take the test on one date depends on the amount of computers available in the network. If there are, for example, 10 computers available, then a maximum of 9 candidates can take the test at once (one computer is to be used as the control computer). The amount of operational candidate computers is indicated as the capacity of a test centre (in the example, the capacity is 9).
Administration
What is the control computer for?
The control computer is used to control the entire course of the onDaF test. The list of the correctly registered candidates is displayed on the control computer. As the examiner, you will note the results of the identity check of each individual candidate and start the test using the control computer. The status of each individual candidate is registered and displayed on the control computer ("test is running" or "test has ended"; "Test läuft" or "Test beendet").
Are there any specific technical requirements for the control computer?
No. Any computer in the network can be used as the control computer. You must only log on to the applicable computer with the login details for your test centre.
What is to be taken into consideration during the identity check?
As soon as the list of candidates which are logged onto the computers is displayed on the monitor of the control computer, you must begin with the identity check. The identity of each candidate is to be checked using a valid form of ID with a photo (passport, ID card, driving licence). The identified candidates are to be marked in the candidate list. Then the test can begin.
Is a connection to a printer necessary for the implementation of the onDaF?
No. For the implementation and the display of the test results a printer is not necessary. Candidates may also print out their certificates at a later point in time using a computer with internet access (via the menu option "print certificate" in the portal for candidates; "Zertifikat drucken"). The test centre can view the results at any time in a detailed candidate list and can edit and print this via the menu option ?view results? in the portal for test centres (TAS portal).
What consequences does a complete computer failure (e.g. through a power cut) have during an onDaF test?
If a complete computer failure takes places during an onDaF test, the candidates must re-take the test from the beginning. For this they must log into the portal for candidates and re-start the onDaF, beginning with the first text. It is to be strictly observed that the examiner is logged onto the control computer before the candidates log on to their computers.
What consequences does an instable Internet connection have on an onDaF test?
A disruption in the Internet connection during an onDaF test will mean that the candidates concerned must take the test from the beginning again. For this, it is necessary to log into the portal for candidates once again.
Is it necessary to ensure that the candidates do not copy from one another?
Due to the random process used in the onDaF, it is practically impossible that two candidates receive the same texts in the same order. In exceptional cases, a glance at the screen of another candidate may cause an advantage on certain gaps. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that a large enough space is left between the computers. Please also ensure that no candidate is disrupted by another during the test.
Scoring and Certification
How are typing errors (e.g. accidental repetition) scored?
Candidates are to fill all gaps linguistically correct. Typing errors are considered as errors. The allowed time for each text is, however, calculated so that the candidates have time to correct any typing errors.
Can candidates use the vowel combinations "ae", "oe" or "ue" for the German umlauts?
No. The umlauts must be correctly entered. If the keyboard does not have the relevant characters, they can be selected from a box, which appears under the gap-filling text.
Which spelling rules underlie the scoring?
Both the old and the new German spelling rules are accepted. This means that, for example, "ß" is also accepted as "ss" in allowable cases (as in "Fluss" but not in "Floß"). If the keyboard does not contain the "ß" character, it can be selected from a box which appears under the gap-filling text.
How are the individual competence levels classified?
The point score obtained in the onDaF test forms the basis of the placement. The division between the individual levels are defined by empirical analyses. The TestDaF Institute reserves the right to make minor alterations to the division according to results of further analyses of the accuracy of the placements.
Are more subtle distinctions possible on the basis of onDaF results?
The ratings of the onDaF comply with the levels A2 to C1. More subtle distinctions, for instance B1.1 as in " lower threshold B1" or B1.2 as in " upper threshold B1" are not given. Should further distinctions within the levels be required, let yourself be guided by the following core ranges: A2: 45 to 50 points, B1: 75 to 80 points, B2: 110 to 115 points, and C1: 140 to 145 points. A placement of B1 with 64 points could therefore be assigned to the lower threshold of level B1, a placement of B2 with 125 points to the upper threshold of level B1 etc.
For how long are the results of an onDaF test available?
The test results of all candidates are permanently saved. You may access theses results at any time (with the point score and rating for each individual candidate) in the portal for test centres (TAS portal) under the menu option "results" ("Ergebnisse ansehen"). Here you also have access to the candidates' certificates.
How can the authenticity of the certificates be checked?
You can check whether a certificate presented is authentic at any time using an online authenticity check. Simply go to the website http://www.ondaf.de/check. Here you will be asked to enter the name and date of birth of the respective candidate, exactly in the way it is written in the first two lines of the certificate. Additionally, you are asked to enter the code, which is found at the bottom of the certificate. This information is then compared with the details saved on the onDaF server. If the details match, the name of the candidate, the date of the onDaF test, the point score obtained and the rating with be displayed. If the details do not match, you will be informed that no match could be found with the server data.